Timm has B1G opportunities
In December, linebacker Mike Timm decided not to sign with South Dakota State and instead reopened his recruitment to see what else was out there. Now, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Wisconsin native plans to turn down several FCS scholarship offers so he can pursue his dream of playing in the Big Ten.
“A large part of why I want to walk on has to do with the idea that I don’t want to look back and think of what could’ve happened if I would’ve tried to play at the highest level possible,” said Timm. “It’s been a dream of mine to play Big Ten football and now that the opportunity has presented itself I don’t want to pass it up.”
In recent weeks, both Iowa and Michigan have stepped forward with walk on opportunities for Timm, who has now narrowed things down to those two schools.
“Iowa and Michigan both have rich walk on tradition and that has a lot to do with the decision as well,” Timm said.
This weekend, Timm was back on campus in Iowa City for a two day visit with the Hawkeyes, which gave him an inside look at the football program and the university.
“It was a great weekend to get the chance to build a more personal relationship with Coach Wallace and some of the other recruits,” said Timm.
“Friday was primarily dedicated to the athletic and social aspects, so we met with our position coaches, went to the locker room, and had some free time at night to just get a feel of what Iowa City had to offer and to get to know the current players and other recruits.”
“Today was more academically focused so everyone met with a professor from their major of choice, which was very important. We also went to the basketball game versus Purdue, which was a great environment.”
As a senior, Timm racked up 142 tackles and 20 TFL this past season at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, WI. In Iowa’s defense, the coaches see him fitting in as an inside linebacker if he decides to join the Hawkeyes next year.
“The highlight for me was watching film and talking scheme with Coach Wallace because it helped me figure out where he sees me in the system and for me to get a baseline of the mental part of the defense,” said Timm. “Coach Wallace sees me at a MIKE or WILL and with hard work and effort I will be able to become a leader within the defense. We didn’t talk about depth chart specifics, but wherever I fall I understand that I’ll have to work my way up and make the most of my opportunity when it is earned.”
The Iowa coaching staff plans to stay in close contact with Timm in the coming weeks as they hope to add him to what is already a strong class of walk ons in 2018.
“Tomorrow, Coach Polasek and I will be talking about how this weekend went and more about the future,” Timm said. “Coach Ferentz and Coach Polasek are coming to school to watch me run and do some agility drills next week. Also, I believe Coach Wallace is coming up to school the week after, but I’m not positive.”
Leaving Iowa City on Saturday, Timm said he felt comfortable with the Hawkeyes and will keep that in mind as he works his way towards a final decision.
“I feel very comfortable at Iowa and know that it is a place where I can grow as a student, person, and player,” said Timm. “I’m not sure when a decision will be made, but I think I will have a stronger idea after I talk with Coach Ferentz, Coach Polasek, and Coach Wallace.”